In honor of Domestic Violence Awareness Month, on October 29th attendees gathered at the Union League of Chicago for a Domestic Violence Summit. Hosted by The Chicago Bar Association, WINGS Program, Inc., The Illinois State Bar Association, DuPage County Bar Association, and Women’s Bar Association of Illinois, the Domestic Violence Summit had a full day of expert speakers including, the Domestic Violence Summit welcomed activists Denise Brown and Mark Wynn, and others.
Denise Brown
After her sister Nicole was tragically murdered, and Nicole’s ex-husband O.J. Simpson was famously charged with her murder, Denise was determined to do all she could to raise awareness about domestic violence.
Ms. Brown has worked tirelessly to help pass a variety of legislative solutions for domestic violence and travels across the U.S. to speak on the issue.
Excerpt from pre-summit conversation with Denise Brown here, full conversation is below.
Mark Wynn
Mark Wynn, of Wynn Consulting, offers a wide range of training and technical assistance services on child abuse, domestic violence and sexual assault prevention and intervention to first responders, advocates, clinicians and other professionals.
He has provided training services to police executives, patrol officers, training officers, prosecutors, judges, legislators, social service providers, healthcare professionals and victim advocates.
A survivor, Mr. Wynn is the subject of the award-winning documentary “This is Where I Learned Not to Sleep.”
Excerpt from pre-summit conversation with Mark Wynn here, full conversation is below.
Other Presenters included:
Topics for panels included:
- Understanding the Problem
- Engaging Men as Allies in Domestic Violence Prevention
- Understanding the Systems: Law Enforcement, Legal System, and Social Services
- Healthcare Perspectives
- Existing Legal Remedies
- The Path Forward: Legislation, Needed Interventions, and How Legal Professionals Can Make Change
“Change and Hope”
The Chicago Bar Association President John C. Sciaccotta shares,
“What a historic day it was on October 29, 2024 for awareness, healing, CHANGE and HOPE in the fight against domestic violence!…Keynote speakers Denise Brown and Mark Wynn were riveting with their first hand experiences and perspectives on the tragedies caused by domestic violence.
There were so many people at the event that were survivors of domestic violence. I was stunned to speak to so many that emotionally shared their traumatic experiences with me.
In that regard, we hope to revive the CBA’s Domestic Violence committee to keep the momentum going.”
Watch
View a pre-summit interview with WINGS President & CEO Rebecca Darr, Denise Brown, Mark Wynn and Ellaine Sambo-Reyther, WINGS Board Chair.





